Plant Profile: Lanceleaf Liveforever (Dudleya lanceolata)
Karen Native to the mountains of southern California and Baja California, where it is found in rocky areas and slopes, this evergreen perennial succulent is a member of the stonecrop family,…
Garden Tools: Basic Garden Trowel
Karen Meyers The basic garden trowel has a handle with a scoop-shaped blade that is wider near the handle and pointed at the far end. The point may be sharp or not…
Book Review: How to Garden Indoors & Grow Your Own Food Year Round
Author, Kim Roman, presents a comprehensive guide to growing edible plants indoors in this easy to understand, well-organized book. Limited space and resources do not have to prevent most people…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Bunny Tails Grass (Lagurus ovatus)
The blooms of this perennial grass are just plain cute and are bound to attract children of all ages along with their parents. The plant grows 1-2′ tall and has…
Plants for a Plant Zoo: Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
The dramatic foliage of this evergreen fern will attract the eye and beg for a closer look to see the unique nest formed in the center of the plant. The…
Plant Profile: Crocus cancellatus
This perennial corm is native to areas from southern Turkey to southwest Syria but is found on rocky hillsides and open woods from North Africa to Palestine and Armenia. It…
Plant Profile: Syrian Oregano (Origanum syriacum aka O. maru aka Majorana syriaca)
Also known as bible hyssop, Syrian marjoram, and Lebanese oregano, this tender perennial herb is native to the Middle East and is a member of the deadnettle family, Lamiaceae, that…
Perennials for Wall Gardens in Full Sun
The crevices in walls provide an opportunity to create a beautiful wall garden but also present challenges. They usually have very little soil and so can dry out or get…
Plant Profile: Lion’s Tail (Leonotis leonurus)
A semi-deciduous shrub, lion’s tail is native to damp grasslands of South Africa and southern Africa, and is a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae, that also includes basil, adjuga,…
Plant Profile: Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
Indigenous to South Africa, this tender evergreen herbaceous perennial is a member of the Strelitziaceae, a small family closely related to bananas. The plant grows from a rhizome and forms…